141th Annual Memorial Day Observance, Maple Grove Cemetery Granville, Ohio

141th Annual Memorial Day Observance, Maple Grove Cemetery Granville, Ohio in USA
This panorama is of the 141th annual Memorial Day Observance held at Maple Grove Cemetery Granville, Ohio. Memorial Day is a time to greave the loss of family and friends, yet celebrate the start of summer. For my family, we begin the day at the corner of the four churches in town, to join the parade march to the burial ground of our ancestors. Once at the cemetery, we stand at the same spot every year, while our kids play under the grand old maple tree. My wife and I hold back our tears during the ceremony, with the cold realization that one day our children will be the ones sadden, probably standing on this same hallowed ground.

141th Annual Memorial Day Observance, Maple Grove Cemetery Granville, Ohio

"In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields."

-Lt. Col. John McCrae (1872-1918)